The Miracle We "Needed"

A little over two years ago some friends of ours gave birth to a still born little girl, Gracie. We were very saddened to not be able to attend the funeral. A few weeks ago at church, we were able to listen to a message we were not able to hear that day. Gracie's father spoke these words:

We prayed and prayed for a miracle. You prayed and prayed for a miracle. Even though we did not get the miracle we wanted, I still believe we got a miracle.

Maybe the miracle is that Gracie doesn't have to suffer and go through the pain we are going through right now. She went directly to perfection.

Maybe the miracle is that we are able to praise God in the midst of her loss. Maybe the miracle is that we were able to persevere for 4 long months.

Maybe the miracle is that we had 8 precious months with Gracie instead of 2.

Maybe the miracle is instead of pushing each other away, we clung to each other and God to survive.

Maybe the miracle is that instead of acting like everything was okay, we openned ourselves up to you and in return you showed us the compassion of God.

Maybe the miracle is that we were able to enjoy our sweet time with Gracie after her birth instead of being filled with anger and bitterness.

Maybe the miracle is that I am able to stand in front of you today and share her life with you.

Maybe the miracle is that Gracie brought you closer to God, reignited your relationship with him, or maybe for the first time allowed you to encounter the saving works of Jesus our Lord in your life.

I can't say for sure what the miracle is. Maybe it is different for each one of us. But I can say for sure that Gracie is a miracle.

She wasn't the miracle we asked for, but she was the one we needed.

"She wasn't the miracle we asked for, but she was the one we NEEDED." In the face of such heartache, a father stood up and said that it was "needed." For weeks that line has been laid on my heart. For weeks I have been reading these words trying to piece together my thoughts enough to make a post out of them. And for weeks....I have been unsuccessful. So I've come to the conclusion today that maybe there are no more words that need to be said, but rather just to sit in "awe" of it.......in awe of their faith, awe of their testimony, awe of their love, awe of their bond, awe of their choices, awe of their hope. I think their story touches each of us in our own way and I hope in sharing this piece of it, that its messages stays with you, that it challenges you to see life a little differently, that it encourages you to have faith and hope when both of those things seem so out of reach......that it changes you, as it has me!

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